I'm going to fly an Aeronca Champ all over the country. Where should I go? Who wants to meet up?

Fencer said:
If you make it all the way to NJ we park you Champ in my hangar and go flying local for a day or two in my RV. All time will be yours and FREE!
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That would be incredible! Thank you for the offer. I'd love to build an RV one day, I've got about an hour in an RV6 but that's it. I think I can take the little Champ coast-to-coast.

Whereabouts are you? I was just in Cape May and regret not going to the Air Museum there, I didn't think I'd have time. When I finished Bob Hoovers book a few days later, I read about the rich history of air racing there and really regretted not making time for it.
 
I must live in the wrong part of the country. You can not rent anything but a 172 'round here these days, and then for a couple of hours and bring it right back. Back in the day, Saratoga's, 201's, seminole, pa23, even a Navajo was possible. I have not rented an airplane but once in 25 or 30 years.
Yours sounds neat. I don't need to know where, but how does the rental work? 100 hr block? What happens if it needs a jug in PQI? How long do you get to keep it? Kinda envious......
 
Itchy said:
I must live in the wrong part of the country. You can not rent anything but a 172 'round here these days, and then for a couple of hours and bring it right back. Back in the day, Saratoga's, 201's, seminole, pa23, even a Navajo was possible. I have not rented an airplane but once in 25 or 30 years.
Yours sounds neat. I don't need to know where, but how does the rental work? 100 hr block? What happens if it needs a jug in PQI? How long do you get to keep it? Kinda envious......
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I think they're willing to rent it longer because around here, when tailwheels are available, most people could care less and don't fly them. They said it only flies 2-3 times per week on average. I'm not positive on the details yet, I'm going to see the airplane/get checked out tomorrow and I'll discuss it with them further. I did talk to them over the phone and they told me I could take it for multiple weeks as long as I flew 2hrs/day and kept it inside the US.

I'll find out about what happens if it needs field maintenance, I'd thought about that too.
 
KKochan said:
A little bit about myself, I'm 25 and got my Commercial License about 2 months ago. I have 275TT. I don't want to become a CFI right now, I just want to fly. I'm going to rent an Aeronca Champ with a C65, and fly it all over the place, starting next week or so, from Socal. I'm getting checked out in the airplane on Sunday, I already have a T/W endorsement.

I'd appreciate suggestions on airports to go to, and if anyone would like to meet up that would be awesome! My goal is to build 90hrs in it, and then tow gliders if I do not find anything else. I'm currently between jobs, I left a "promising" career as a technician at a BMW dealership after getting my Commercial to pursue a career in Aviation. I'm fortunate enough to have some money saved up so that I can do this. So thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice!

EDIT: List of Airports

Alabama
KDHN (Dothan)

Arizona
KGCN

California
KBUR (Burbank)
KWJF (General Fox)

Colorado
KTEX (Telluride)
KLXV (Leadville)
KASE (Aspen)

Utah
U96 (Cal Black Memorial) (Been here before and met some cool folks who run the place)

Michigan
KPTK (Pontiac)

New Mexico
KSAF (Santa Fe) (Family/Friends)

North Carolina
KBUY (Burlington)
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Let me know when you get to SAF and we can meet up. I'm based and instruct here (BTW, if your name is the same as your username, you sound familiar. Did you recently do your Commercial with M.S.?)
 
KKochan said:
That would be incredible! Thank you for the offer. I'd love to build an RV one day, I've got about an hour in an RV6 but that's it. I think I can take the little Champ coast-to-coast.

Whereabouts are you? I was just in Cape May and regret not going to the Air Museum there, I didn't think I'd have time. When I finished Bob Hoovers book a few days later, I read about the rich history of air racing there and really regretted not making time for it.
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I am at Princeton 39N but can reach easily within a 100 nm circle. Let me know when you are coming. Day VFR plane/pilot but we have perfect flying weather every single day...
 
If you swing down to Florida, stop off at Cedar Key and Albert Whitted in St. Petersburg (SPG) - two great Florida airport experiences. From there you could travel up north and hit Gainesville and go up the Georgia coast.
 
Weather is turning into typical fall/winter garbage here, or I'd say stop in Idaho and we could hit some back country mountain strips. There are several you can do in a low powered aircraft. But with current weather you could end up getting stuck here for a while.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Sedona or Flagstaff. Quite honestly, with a Champ, I'd probably go for Flagstaff just for runway length. SEZ gets quite sporty when it gets windy, is my understanding.
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Not that bad if you know what you're doing. If the approach is from the West, yeah, gets a little sporty. Flagstaff is neat, nothing too spectacular. If you stay in AZ a while, head down to Tucson and fly over Marana and see the big boneyard. Goodyear has a smaller boneyard too.
 
ozziecat35 said:
Not that bad if you know what you're doing. If the approach is from the West, yeah, gets a little sporty. Flagstaff is neat, nothing too spectacular. If you stay in AZ a while, head down to Tucson and fly over Marana and see the big boneyard. Goodyear has a smaller boneyard too.
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The Boneyards are awesome for sure! KMZJ, Pinal airpark has a ton on old Northwest 747, DC-10 and so on. I used to take my students there land and taxi back. I never personally experienced it but I have heard the airport doesnt take too kindly to visitors at times so if ya make it down that way a fly over would be best.
 
I own a Champ.

Don't be afraid to:

-land on the infield/grass when you think the cross-winds are tough
-fly from either seat
-take breaks often
-think about the effects of weight and density altitude on your climb performance
 
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